The Arizona sentinel., 1887-04-16
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.
The General Character and the Symptom
 of the Terrible Disease.

country. and its liability to appear in
 almost any section not yet infected, it
 becomes of the utmost importance to
 the cattle interests of the country that
 stockmen should be able to recognize
 the disease as soon as possible after its
 first appearance in locality. Owing
 to the insidious nature of this disease
 thls is not always as simple as might
 be supposed, and certainly not as could
 be desired.
 A knowledge of the general character
 and symptoms of the disease, while it will not enable all stockmen to defi- nitely recognize the disease at the out set, will place them in position to recognize the possibility of the pres ence of this disease whenever sus- picious contagious outbreak may occur in their locality, and at the same time
 enable them to take the necessary pre- cautions to prevent further spreading
 The disease is due to a specific germ
 or contagium, which usually gains access to the system through the re- spiratory passages into the lungs, where its action is mostly limited, there producing characteristic changes in the
 lung tissue by which the disease is re- cognized from other forms of lung dis eases. This contagium is produced in immense numbers in the lungs of a dis eased animal, and it is by the trans mission of this contagium from the sick to the healthy that the disease is spread. Contact with diseased ami nal or with the diseased products from such an animal is necessary to con- tract the disease. Stables, yards and fields wherein the desease has been, any articles or substances that have been in contact with the sick animals or their products, or even the clothing of attendants may all contain the living germ of the desease for a variable length of time, and during that period
 are capable of conveying the desease to healthy animal coming in contact with the same.
 The period of incubation-the lapse of time after the specific poison enters the system and before it produces changes sufficient to interfere with the general health of the animal, and by which it may be recOgnized-is ordi- narily ten days to three weeks, but in exceptional cases may extend to three or four months. Generally the disease is of lingering, often of an insidious character, running q UUursU of two to ten weeks or even longer and ter minating in death, or a slow, uncertain recovery. But during its first appear ance in a district and also in warm weather it commonly runs more rapid course, the animals dying in a few days with acute symptoms; however, this is the exception rather than the rule.
 The general symptoms are essential ly those of other diseases of the lungs. An increased body temperature of two to three degrees Fahrenheit usually appears few days or week before any other symptoms. But as this can be ascertained only by the use of the clinical thermometer, it becomes of no general diagnostic value except in sus- pected herds or cattle known to have been exposed. In such instances, how ever, the thermometer becomes an inn portant aid to recognizing the disease in an animal before the general symp- toms appear.
 The first outward or obvious symp- toms are usually erection of the hair, especially along the back, giving the animal a general unthrifty appearance, and slight, dry, short cough, which gradually increases in severity and is aggravated by cold or drinking cold water. These are soon followed by loss of appetite, increased respiration and pulse, which may be accompanied by shivering; the horns, ears and limbs alternately cold and hot, the muzzle usually dry. rumination becomes ir- regular or soon ceases altogether when the animal refuses to eat; the secretion of milk is diminished and soon ceases; the bowels become costive, followed later. by diarrhea. There is tender ness, often extreme, causing the ami nal to vince or groan when pressure is applied along the back CT bet ween the ribs. Percussion and auscultation of the chest will show dullness and ab- sence of the normal respiratory mur- mur over particular parts of tic lungs; changes will be found rapid ly going on within the lungs, and such sounds as friction, wheez- ing, crepitation, etc., may usually be heard.
 The breathing now becomes more difficult and labored, while all the symptoms become aggravated until the animal stands consistently with fore limbs apart and elbows turned out, back arched, the head carried low and on the neck, the mouth open, nostrils dilated, and each breath ac- by painful moan.
 These symptoms vary greatly in cases, depending largely on the severity of the attack and the DOT ton of lung involved. In some in- stances the animal appears unwel for several days with an occasional cough, and, unless recognized, the disease may progress in mild form and the animal l recover withG-lt showing any decisive symptoms. It is these mild | cases that at times make the disease so | difficult to recognize and so liable to be